The All India Institute of Medical Sciences here is finalising plans to use the newest entrant in its infrastructural expansion project – a 10-storey Convergence Block built at a cost of Rs.50.85 crore.
Handed over to the Institute after completion early this year, the imposing grey building (merging with the rest of the hospital) is slated to house teaching rooms, laboratories, research units along with a knowledge centre.
AIIMS chairperson of media and protocol officer Dr. Neerja Bhatla said: “The building will have an array of facilities including a student and teaching wing with examination halls, laboratories, media cell and an alumni cell. Space is also being allocated for research projects and record keeping. We hope to start using the building for students by July-August.”
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The Block has 10 floors and two basement areas, with a total built-up area of 18,463 sq. metres. The building design also conforms to energy-saving norms and will offer space for faculties for various departments including Biology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology and Pathology.
The Centre had planned the project and work began on the Block in 2011. This is among the most significant initiatives to expand infrastructure in the Hospital to handle the growing number of students and research needs and to provide quality patient care.
Besides housing the knowledge centre meant for creating a data base for various research activities, including clinical experiences at the AIIMS, the Block is also expected to have a state-of-the-art facility for knowledge expansion.
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“The idea is to convert this into a one-point knowledge hub, where both basic sciences and clinical departments will have a common facility of doing technology-driven research in the Institute,” noted a senior official at the Union Health Ministry.
The Convergence Block is part of the Moily Committee’s recommendations for augmentation of infrastructure at AIIMS for which the Central Government has allocated Rs.750 crore.